January 2013

So what have we been up to since we returned from our Christmas holiday? I hear you say.

Well, we were both back at work on 2^nd January. The first weekend back we caught up with friends. We went walking with Georgia and Jason. 

We went for drinks with Lynne and Michael down at Brighton to celebrate their engagement. 

We’ve spent the day in Goolwar. 

Came aross the mouth of the Murray River.

.

We’ve celerbrated my 30^th Birthday and thank you to everyone who sent me messages, cards and presents. I have had a great time and my birthday present from Mark is still to arrive.

On my birthday I went to work, which started with a coffee in the market during an OT meeting. 

Then my work mates took me out for lunch and when I got home these lovely flowers were waiting for me on the door step. 

I then dusted off my wedding shoes and prepared for a birthday dinner with our friend Jen on the sea front. 

As the weekend approached Mark informed me that he was taking me away. I was told to pack a bag and be ready to leave work at 4pm, when he picked me up. I had no idea where we were going and what the weekend and what Mark had planned.

When we arrived at the Barossa (which I later found was where we were staying) this is what I found my weekend accommodation to be. 

Views like these

Breakfast

And a bathroom with a view, that even came with its own rubber duck 

Once we were washed and changed, we walked the 3km to the local pub called the ‘Lord of Lyndock’. Fantastic food, great beer and welcoming atmosphere, the landlord even drove us home at the end of the night. 

In the morning I was served fresh coffee on the balcony and whilst I read my book Mark cooked up a fantastic breakfast. The rest of the morning was spent relaxing on the balcony, in the afternoon we visited a few wineries and found a beer garden to die for and the pub made its own beers. I think Mark was in heaven.  

At 5pm Mark took me back to our den and took me to prepare for a night out. However when I was doing that he received a phone call which he didn’t appear to be happy about. I later found out that he had planned a hot air balloon ride and breakfast for Sunday morning, but it had been cancelled due to high wind and rain forecasted. Mark was very upset but after a glass of wine he seemed to cheer up. I told him you can’t control everything and unfortunately the weather has won on this occasion, but I had a fantastic time. I really look forward to when we can take the ride, which was cancelled again this weekend (28^th January) due to high winds. I am beginning to think that I should be back in Wales. Hopefully we will be third time lucky. 

So the weekend was rounded off with dinner under the veranda at the restaurant 1918, which has food to die for and deserts you dream off. Those I spent the dinner with my fleece wrapped around my legs under the table, I had a lovely time. THANK YOU MARK XXXXX

Last weekend we celebrated Michael’s birthday and this weekend we went to Rhys’ 4^th birthday party. Where Juliet showed Rhys how to blow out his birthday candle, Ben showed me how he can sink his teeth into watermelon and had a great time with Mark playing 1,2,3 and planes. 

On Sunday we went into town to watch the final stage of the Tour Down Under Cycling Road race that has engulf Adelaide all week. 

As it is a long weekend over here in Australia for Australia Day, and our second attempt of hot air balloon riding was cancelled. Mark went out on his bike whilst I stayed at home to do some baking and catch up with the blog. I hope you like it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE. We hope 2013 is a good year for you all and we look forward to hearing what you get up too.

Mount Kosciuszko

After a fantastic day with Dayna and her family we hit the road again to Mount Kosciuszko.  With a small detour to Jervis Bay, 

we arrived at Theredbo with just enough time to setup camp by the river before night fall. 

The following morning we were up early to start our 22km walk around and up Mount Kosciuszko from Charlotte’s pass.

And yes the first aid kit did come in handy, when Mark developed busters on his feet. 

We even found some snow on the walk. 

My reminder of home.

Once at the top we rested and informed the walk of our feat. 

On our return to camp we stopped off for a well dissevered pint of Kosciuszko.

 Before Mark heads back to camp to make the best corn beef hash I have ever had.  

The evening was spent reading books and drink wine. Mark got his sunset and the locals came to say hello, even calling in to the tent next door for a cuppa. 

The following morning we battled with strong winds whilst packing up camp and hit the road once again. This time on our way to Lake Eildon our New Year’s Eve venue and our last port of call before home. We arrived by 8pm and by 11pm were partying with the group next door until the early hours of the morning around their campfire. We had fireworks in the lake and a great sound system supplied by our car. 

What a fantastic holiday.

A day with Dayna

On our arrival to Dayna’s family home, we were made to feel very at home. After a fantastic meal and hot shower that I had dreamed about for days (this is what 5 days without a shower, dose to me. Though the lake at Mount Cobbler and the river at Mcakillops Bridge were fantastic),a cozy bed awaited us. 

After sleeping like a log we wake to the buzz of the house. After a homemade breakfast we were taken out for the day to see Mount Bushwalker. 

During the walk we saw Digo cross dogs, another water fall without any water and Sara (Dayna’s sister) impressed me greatly and enabled me to truly see what my clients could do if they put their minds to it. Sara is vision impaired and has 10% vision. But this did not stop her walking the 7 km bush walk we completed. To assist her with the walk she used a long cane and at times needed description from the group. With this assistance Sara was able to overcome steep hills, uneven ground, stepping stones and unsteady board walk which was only two feet wide. 

On our return to the house I assisted Sara with making her own bus number cards and Dayna taught me how to make lobster parcels and we had a great family evening around the table with her grandparents.